Regarding your Op-Ed July 30-August 5 issue of Tri-City Voice. For Newark residents the question should be "Do you trust me?" I was surveyed and so was my husband and quite a few of our friends and neighbors. It was not our consensus that we were "very satisfied" or even "somewhat satisfied" with the quality of life in Newark. This was especially true when our responses were tied to a possible tax on utilities or any other city imposed tax. Our problem was that we did not trust the city to spend additional taxes in a responsible manner.

Recent expenditures and staff time spent on trying to remove existing businesses and develop a golf course and housing on Area 4; a train station and housing/retail on known polluted sites in Area 2; yet another development plan for "Old Town"; a city-wide survey of potential redevelopment areas which will lead to questionable projects lead us to believe additional tax monies will not be spent responsibly. For example, Newark needs an updated general plan before proceeding on a path to completely develop the city. A new general plan would provide community input on what future growth residents desire. It would also bring to light transportation, air and water quality issues among others which rely on new state and federal guidelines.

The survey asked if we would support increased city taxes if an oversight committee was put in place to monitor spending. The likelihood of such a committee being set up is open to question. Not to mention who would be appointed. The question comes back to trust. Do we trust the mayor and his council members to make responsible decisions or do we believe our taxes will be spent on poorly planned projects? So far, all we have seen are poorly conceived plans for city development. We deserve better. Increased taxes are not the cure.